Week 5 - 2022

WEEK FIVE of HOBOS GOING SOBO IN THEIR OBOZ, the journey "in-tents"ifies ...

Elkton, VA to Waynesboro, VA - 48 miles, average 12 miles a day.   Total miles so far = 288

WHAT WE LEARNED THIS WEEK ON THE TRAIL:

• Only four days on trail this week. We’ve had so much rain that we had to take days off, zero days. You can only play in the rain so much before it “dampens” the mood.

• These boots were made for walkin’ and that’s just what they’ll do (did) … after 700 miles (470 last year, 230 this year) I had to retire my OBOZ.  I done wore them out!  The insides were ripping in the heel causing sores so it was time to say goodbye. It was a sad day in the neighborhood, for sure.  My new “Keen” boots have big shoes to fill. 

• It’s probably not a good idea to eat Mexican food right before you hit the trail, just sayin’.

• I think we’ve been out in the woods a little too long. We’re starting to see trees as creatures.  Last week it was bears and an alligator head, this week, a prehistoric bird and a snake.

• Trail Magic hits again! A sign on the ground inviting hikers to go into their vehicle and help themselves to cold drinks.  Although a great treat, I felt uncomfortable opening someone’s trunk and helping ourselves when our trail angels weren’t there to offer it.  It didn’t take much to convince me … that cinnamon roll and cold drink tasted so good! We did get to personally thank our angels when we found them on the trail doing trail maintenance work.

• Speaking of trail maintenance. We met the nicest Christian woman, PW (pronounced P-dub) out weed whacking beside the trails. We spent a long time talking to her about both of our adventures on the AT. She is also in the process of writing a book about her experiences on the trail and the God moments she encountered.

• Don’t always assume that someone that drives into the parking lot with a vehicle that looks like your shuttle driver’s vehicle is in fact your driver.   Waving to them like a crazy person only to find out it’s not who you thought it was leaves you apologizing to said occupants for our lunacy. 

• Update! I know you’ve all been wondering … I’m improving, the farmer’s blow is going so much better.  FROG says I’m using much more force and not being so dainty about it now. I’m becoming a true woods-woman!!!

• We’ve been forewarned. We met another person who wasn’t going to “sugarcoat” what’s up ahead for us. He said we’re in for some more rocky terrain in the next couple weeks.  He says to do our research so we know what to expect. Hmmm…I wonder what would be best - go into it blindly not knowing when the hard parts are coming up or researching and knowing just what to expect?

• Don’t always judge someone by their lack of responses to your texts.  We would have almost missed out on meeting a wonderful guy, Pastor Wayne who became our shuttle driver and forever friend all in a short period of time.

• Spelunkers has some competition for the best hamburgers.  Old 33 Burgers and Brews in Elkton has joined ranks. I love me some burgers!  I think our next road trip should be to scout out and rate the best burger places in the US. Yum! Anyone want to join us?

• Brad to the rescue!  Backpacking leaves you without a car so walking is your only option (if not being shuttled) to get anywhere when in town. We decided to walk a busy highway to get to a deli to buy food. No sidewalks to use with cars buzzing by is fine when you’re going against the traffic and can see what’s coming but to return we would have to go with the traffic and not see behind us.  Just as we’re ready to leave and walk the highway, a truck pulls up and asks if we want a ride to the motel. Oh yes!  As we’re getting out I asked him his name - Brad. Of course it is!  All the “Brad’s”  I know are kind men who think of others!

• My trekking poles saved me an embarrassing fall!  I wasn’t looking where I was going and tripped on a root sending me flying forward and instead of me falling to the ground my poles hit first keeping me upright as they dug into the dirt - and of course, there was another hiker headed our way who witnessed the whole episode.  It was humbling but not as bad as falling to the ground would have been.

• GOOD NEWS!! Our editor got back with us that they are done. In a couple weeks we will be taking up to a week off from hiking to go over the changes so that we can move forward on the book.  So excited!

• To celebrate we are going to go eat at a Mexican restaurant- no worries, we are not headed to the trail yet!